Tehran Times

2025-12-30 21:48
By Soheila Zarfam

Failure in June, rhetoric in December

Senior Iranian officials respond to Monday’s remarks by Trump and Netanyahu with warnings of consequences beyond expectation

TEHRAN – The constant glare of Western rhetoric does not leave Iran alone. For decades, the country has faced repeated threats of military strikes, claims about its nuclear ambitions, and warnings designed to keep the nation under pressure—both domestically and internationally.
- ‘No red lines if Israel strikes again’, warns IRGC spokesman
- Iran will not bow to bullying and arrogance: Pezeshkian

By Faramarz Kouhpayeh

Manufacturing chaos: How Western and Israeli actors seek to hijack Iran's peaceful protests

TEHRAN – Protests are a natural and fundamental part of any society whose citizens care about their future and believe they can influence it. They are not a sign of systemic failure, but an indicator of civic health and the practice of free speech, assembly, and association. For Western states, their media, and their politicians, all of this holds true—except when the protests occur in Iran.
By Garsha Vazirian

Six countries, three seas, one voracious war machine

A year of Tel Aviv’s fear doctrine—sovereignty dismantled across six nations, maritime terror targeting humanitarian aid

TEHRAN – In 2025, Israel acted as a borderless war machine, unleashing over 10,631 military attacks across six nations—Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar—while extending its brutality to maritime terrorism against aid ships in the waters of Malta, Greece, and Tunisia.
By staff writer

Saudi ‘red line’ and UAE’s adventurism in Yemen

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia has framed its national security as a “red line,” warning it will act decisively against any foreign military support for separatist groups in Yemen.
By Sondoss Al Asaad

Detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj and erosion of free expression

BEIRUT—As 2025 draws to a close, the continued detention of Jordanian journalist and political writer Mohammad Faraj remains unresolved and deeply troubling.
Presidents of Iran and Russia discuss advancing bilateral relations

TEHRAN – The presidents of Iran and Russia held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and the progress of their joint agreements.

Politics

Russia says Tehran showing 'maximum restraint' despite western provocations

TEHRAN – Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with Russian media, said that Iran has shown the highest level of restraint and readiness for dialogue in response to all Western provocations.
Araghchi urges regional cooperation on Yemen in calls with UAE, Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with his counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments, especially the conflict in Yemen.
If Iran had sought nuclear arms, Trump ‘gave the best pretext through war’: Zarif

TEHRAN – Iran’s former foreign minister and chief negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal said on Monday that Tehran has never sought nuclear weapons, arguing that U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran would have provided the clearest justification if it had.

Sports

Esteghlal, Sepahan learn fate at 2025/26 ACL Two knockout stage

TEHRAN – Iranian football clubs Esteghlal and Sepahan discovered their challengers following the conclusion of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Knockout Stage Draw on Tuesday.
Ricardo Sa Pinto to remain Esteghlal head coach

TEHRAN - Ricardo Sa Pinto will remain as head coach of Esteghlal after the club’s board of directors decided to give the Portuguese manager more time despite recent poor results.
Tractor, Malavan share the spoils in 2025/26 PGPL

TEHRAN – Tractor and Malavan shared the spoils in a goalless draw in Matchweek 15 of the 2025/26 Iran Persian Gulf Professional League (PGPL) on Tuesday.

Culture

10th National Toy Festival to open in Tehran

TEHRAN- The 10th edition of the National Toy Festival is set to open on Wednesday evening, dedicating space for Iranian-made toys and the promotion of a culture of play, with free access for the public, Hamed Alamati, director of the Iran's Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA)has announced.
Barbican Cinema in London to show masterpieces of Iranian New Wave

TEHRAN – Barbican Cinema in London will host the program “Masterpieces of Iranian New Wave” from February 4 to 26, 2026.
Tehran concert to honor Martyr Soleimani with symphonic tribute

TEHRAN- Tehran Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nasir Heidarian, will perform the concert “Iran-Mard” at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Tuesday, in memory of Martyr General Qassem Soleimani.

Economy

Over 2,000 industrial units go online, creating more than 27,000 direct jobs

TEHRAN – Iran put more than 2,100 industrial units into operation in the first nine months of the current Iranian year (March 21- December 21), creating over 27,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect positions nationwide, a senior industry official said.
South Pars refineries produce over 174m barrels of condensate in 9 months

TEHRAN – Gas processing plants at South Pars produced more than 174 million barrels of gas condensate in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-December 21), reinforcing feedstock supplies for downstream facilities and supporting energy security, the head of the South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) said.
Irrigation equipment exports reach $100m in 8 months

TEHRAN – Iran exported about $100 million worth of irrigation equipment in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-November 21), the deputy head of the Agriculture Ministry’s water and soil department said.

Society

Iran second most active country in ‘100 Hours of Astronomy’

TEHRAN – Recording more than 30 astronomy events, Iran is the second most active participant in the 100 Hours of Astronomy, an event run annually by the International Astronomical Union to encourage people from all over the world to unite under one sky.
Razi festival honors top researchers in medical sciences

TEHRAN – The 31st Razi research festival on medical sciences honored top researchers and technology experts in the health sector, with ministers of science and health in attendance.
IRCS, UNICEF boost ties to provide psychosocial support for children

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have enhanced cooperation to provide psychosocial support for children during emergencies.

Tourism

Experimental archaeology at Masuleh: Medieval Iron smelting technology reconstructed

TEHRAN - An interdisciplinary research team has successfully reconstructed a medieval iron smelting and casting complex at the Old Masuleh historical site in northern Iran, revealing advanced metallurgical expertise in the region.
Iranian artisans to showcase handicrafts at Muscat Nights

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian artisans will present a wide range of traditional handicrafts and visual arts at Muscat Nights 2026, a month-long cultural festival to be held in the Omani capital from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, organizers said.
Iran overcomes tourism recession faster than many countries

TEHRAN— Iran has been able to overcome the tourism recession faster than many countries in a few months after the 12-day Israeli war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

International

Saudi ‘red line’ and UAE’s adventurism in Yemen

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia has framed its national security as a “red line,” warning it will act decisively against any foreign military support for separatist groups in Yemen.
Six countries, three seas, one voracious war machine

TEHRAN – In 2025, Israel acted as a borderless war machine, unleashing over 10,631 military attacks across six nations—Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Qatar—while extending its brutality to maritime terrorism against aid ships in the waters of Malta, Greece, and Tunisia.
Detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj and erosion of free expression

BEIRUT—As 2025 draws to a close, the continued detention of Jordanian journalist and political writer Mohammad Faraj remains unresolved and deeply troubling.